Seelen UI vs Start Menu X

Seelen UI9.1Visit Start Menu X8.5Visit

Higher score Seelen UI #2 in Start Menu Customization Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Seelen UI

vs

Start Menu X #6 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start Menu X

• Seelen UI fits best

  Free users wanting broad Windows customization

• Start Menu X fits best

  Budget users wanting a free Start replacement

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Side by side

Feature	Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Start Menu X 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#2 in Start Menu Customization Software	#6 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting broad Windows customization	Budget users wanting a free Start replacement
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Community	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · Start Menu X 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Both	Both
Replacement mode	Shell_replacement	Overlay
Taskbar controls	Extensive	Not checked yet
Saved profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free and open source with Windows 10 and Windows 11 support Combines Start search, pinned grids, folders, and extensive taskbar controls Adds tiling, wallpapers, widgets, previews, and custom Alt+Tab switching	Freeware includes Start menu, Start button, search, groups, and timers Virtual groups, tabs, folders, and sorting organize large app collections PRO uses a one-time purchase and adds single-click folder launching
Cons	Windows-only, with no support for other platforms Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations	Available only on Windows Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs
Our verdict	Seelen UI is a free, open-source Windows desktop customization application for personal users who want to replace or enhance the default taskbar and Start menu. It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, and its shell-replacement approach goes… Read the review →	Start Menu X is a Windows desktop utility that replaces the system Start menu and can replace or customize the Start button. It is aimed at Windows users and professionals who manage many applications and want more control over how… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Seelen UI — where it wins

  • Free and open source with Windows 10 and Windows 11 support
  • Combines Start search, pinned grids, folders, and extensive taskbar controls
  • Adds tiling, wallpapers, widgets, previews, and custom Alt+Tab switching

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
  • Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior
  • Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations

• Start Menu X — where it wins

  • Freeware includes Start menu, Start button, search, groups, and timers
  • Virtual groups, tabs, folders, and sorting organize large app collections
  • PRO uses a one-time purchase and adds single-click folder launching

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Windows
  • Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier
  • The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs

• Seelen UI9.1/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free Windows shell replacement for users who want more than Start menu tweaks.

  Visit Seelen UIFull verdict →
• Start Menu X8.5/10 · Free plan

  A focused, low-cost Start replacement with useful organization tools and a free tier.

  Visit Start Menu XFull verdict →